Republicans sweep Pulaski County

With a majority of the voters in Pulaski County registering  as Republicans, it came as no surprise who won the elections in Pulaski County. 
On Tuesday, many in the state expected Republican candidates such as Donald Trump, Todd Young and Jackie Walorski to win. At a local level some contested races were questionable but when the final vote was counted, Republicans came out on top with a little room to spare.
Although election boards across the state predicted historic turnouts at the polls that didn’t come to fruition in Pulaski County. Only 58.27 percent of the 9,609 registered voters cast a vote, whereas in 2012, 58.32 percent of registered voters took the time to vote during the general election. 
Of the contested races, voters were watching the county recorder race that Republican Sue Fox won, with 65.57 percent of the unofficial votes, beating Shelia Garling who received 34.43 percent. 
The county commissioner district 1 race was closer than some voters may have anticipated. Republican Jerry Locke received 58.91 percent of the unofficial votes, while Derrick Stalbaum received 41.09 percent. Stalbaum trailed Locke in all but three precincts that included White Post where Stalbaum received 53.59 percent of the votes; Rich Grove where he received 51.71 percent of the votes; and Cass where he received 57.44 percent of the votes. In nine of the precincts, Locke earned more than 60 percent of the votes.   
The closest race in the county was for the county council member at-large seat. Incumbent Jay Sullivan Jr. earned a seat with 26.67 percent of the votes, but was not the top candidate. Scott Hinkle took that title with 27.92 percent of the votes, while Kenneth Boswell took the third seat with 24.30 percent of the votes. Incumbent Doug Roth, who ran as an Independent, received 21.11 percent of the votes. 
Those who were uncontested included Republican Laura Wheeler, county auditor, Republican Kenny Becker, county commissioner district 2, and Lynn Wilder, treasurer. Wilder will not take oath of office at the beginning of the year due to resigning in November because of her mother being terminally ill. Instead Teresa Bryant will serve the four-year term. Bryant was appointed to replace Wilder during a caucus in October. 
At the national level county voters were supporters of Trump and running mate Mike Pence with 70.26 percent of the unofficial votes compared to 24.19 percent of the unofficial voters supporting Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine. 
For U.S. Senator, Pulaski County gave Todd Young 58.21 percent of the unofficial votes, and Evan Bayh received 34.81 percent. 
Eric Holcomb was the candidate for governor Pulaski County wanted as he received 57.11 percent of the unofficial votes compared to John Gregg receiving only 39.37 percent of the unofficial votes. 
Pulaski County also supported Curtis T. Hill Jr. for attorney general and Jennifer McCormick for superintendent of public instruction. 
Pulaski County supported incumbents Walorski, U.S. Representative District 2, and Ed Charbonneau, State Senator District 5. Walorski received 71.34 percent of the unofficial votes and Charbonneau received 68.86 percent of the unofficial votes. 
As for the contested school board races, two incumbents will be returning to Pulaski County — Larry Beach who received 23.19 percent of the votes and Deke DeMarco who earned 20.54 percent. Newcomer Beth A. Ruff received the highest number of votes or 25.67 percent. Terri Johnston will continue on the board as she was uncontested. 
The contested race for the West Central School Board At-Large seat will be filled by incumbent Dennis Gutwein who received 62.46 percent of the votes, while Janell Odom received 37.54 percent. Jonathan Gutwein will be the newcomer to the board as he was uncontested for the Gillam Township seat. Amanda Sharpe will continue as the White Post Township school board member.